Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny D’Anthony. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Jenny and Anna met at Clemson University, where they competed on Clemson University’s D1 Rowing Team. The two became the best of friends. Anna graduated with her degree in Economics and moved back to England. Jenny graduated with her degree in Bioengineering and moved out to Arizona, beginning their fresh career journeys. Anna wasn’t quite ready to give up rowing and daydreamed about being out on the water again- but this time for MUCH longer. “What’s the farthest I can row?” she asked. At the time, it was a 3000-mile race across the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands to Antigua. Perfect! Now, she just needed a partner, a boat, necessary training and certifications, safety equipment, seamanship, and sponsorship. Having recently finished a successful swim across the English Channel, her brother was up for another adventure. The pair completed the row in 43 days, 15 hours, and 22 minutes, securing 2 Guinness World Records. At the time, Jenny was just an avid fan cheering on her ambitious friend.
By fate or luck, Anna and Jenny became next-door neighbors in Flagstaff, Arizona, a couple of years later. It was the perfect opportunity to rekindle their friendship as they tackled all the crazy adventures they could get their hands on. Their adventures mainly revolved around hiking, biking, and running, but it wasn’t soon; the two started to think about rowing again.
The World’s Toughest Row race organizers announced their first-ever Pacific race coming June 2023, a 2800-mile crossing from Monterey Bay, California, to Kauai, Hawaii. This race presented many unknowns, new challenges, and harsher conditions than the Atlantic, but alltheless, Anna could not get the prospect of another ocean crossing out of her mind. She knew of the perfect teammate, too!
Anna and Jenny soon found themselves living in Florida, a bit further apart, with Jenny in Jacksonville and Anna in Venice. Jenny is a biomedical engineer, and Anna is a technology consultant. Outside their busy day jobs, Anna and Jenny joked and daydreamed around competing in the Pacific Challenge for some time before flipping that switching and going all in – a phrase coined from their time at Clemson.
They enthusiastically launched Team United Row, Anna from the UK and Jenny from the US. The team is united with each other, across nations, and with their invaluable sponsors and supporters. This is far more than a physical challenge, taking a great deal of preparation fundraising, doing boat repairs, sourcing equipment, training both on and off the water, obtaining necessary certifications, and securing sponsorship.
The team also wanted to have an impact larger than themselves, so they launched their nonprofit organization. United Row Corp’s mission is to propel the future of girls and women in sports, leadership, and education and preserve and protect our world. Above all else, they are committed to living their mission. This means beach clean-ups, speaking engagements at schools, universities, and sports clubs, and having a solar-powered and zero-waste crossing. They aim to uphold their mission in their local communities, collegiately, and globally.
They hope to showcase what two very ordinary people can accomplish when they set an ambitious goal and chase it relentlessly. Day in and day out, there is no step-by-step how guide. We are figuring it all out as we go, which makes this so exciting. We all have limitless potential and the incredible opportunity to impact this big world positively. The nature of this challenge makes you feel small – you are but a drop in the ocean. It is both humbling and empowering, paradoxical, almost as if you feel so powerless and powerful at the same time. The 50ft waves and 30-knot winds can capsize your boat in the blink of an eye. And you fathom that you and your friend, with your solid minds and bodies, can row your little boat across the Pacific Ocean – it is remarkable. It makes you remember you are not just a drop in the ocean but the ocean in a drop.
The team is less than four months from the race starting on June 8th, 2024. They are busy training and getting their boat kitted for a safe and successful crossing. Their boat, Axel Rose, must be equipped with everything they need to survive for a record-setting, unsupported row. This sweet child of theirs includes a desalinating water maker, solar panel system, GPS, safety EPIRB and PLBs, VHF radio, para-anchor, drogues, nearly 10,000 calories of food per day, and a couple of buckets to sub for a shower and toilet. The team aims to keep the boat moving 24/7, rowing in 2-hour intervals around the clock. They will need physical aptitude, mental fortitude, and technical expertise for what is fittingly termed The World’s Toughest Row. They are also actively fundraising to get to the start line and support their nonprofit mission. You can show your support by donating on their website, unitedrow.org. You can follow along their journey on their Instagram @united.row.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a challenging road. But that is quite fitting, as it will not be a flat and smooth ocean either. Our most significant challenge has been sponsorship and fundraising. We need to raise $208K to get to the start line. This includes costs for our boat, equipment, race entry, training and certifications, and necessary food and supplies. As Anna and Jenny have busy full-time jobs, raising the necessary funds has been challenging when they must prepare, technically train, and physically make their boat sea-worthy. We purchased a 2nd handboat to save on expenses, so there have been some challenges making the necessary repairs.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Jenny: I am a Senior Research and Development Engineer at Medtronic working on Ear, Nose, and Throat products. I am proud to work for Medtronic and help create and improve solutions so patients can live their best lives. In every decision, big or small, I aim to put the patient first.
Anna: I am a Technology Consultant at Hitachi, working to deliver comprehensive technical solutions to our clients. I enjoy interacting with different businesses and finding innovative solutions to our customer’s toughest challenges.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
No, but feel free to check out our website, unitedrow.org, or arrange a call where we can share more details. Please include our website link where readers can donate and link or QR code to the United Row Salt Life co-branded shirt.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.unitedrow.org
- Instagram: @united.row
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/united.row
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/united-row
- TikTok: @united.row
